Method and apparatus for cleaning fiber treating machines



P 11953 c. A. WIED fifilfifi METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FIBER TREATING MACHINES Filed July 17, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 QKPW 89 E953 c. A. MED 2,5H,@

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FIBER TREATING MACHINES Filed July 17, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 8, 1953 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FIBER ING-M C INES 1 7 Carl Adolf Wicd, Stockport, N. Y., 'assignorof one-fifth to I, Richard Paris, Washington, D. 0.

Application July 17, 1947, Serial No. 761,644

This invention relates to the'cleaning of fiber treating machines and more particularly to apparatus for cleaning the garnett. cylinder and the doffer roll of a garnett machine.

-' The cleaning of the garnett cylinder and the dofier roll of the conventional garnett machine as proposed by this invention is accomplished by the application of a'brushing operation, a compressed air blast, and a suction to either cylinder or roll in such-a manner that the dirt, grease, and fibers collected in the teeth of the cylinder or roll are loosened and brought to the surface by the brushing and air blast and then removed therefrom by suction or vacuum. l

The objects of'this'invention are to accomplish the foregoing cleaning operation by mounting upon a conventionalgarnett machine a cleaning apparatus, described below, being suitably designed to perform the various operations outlined above, in place of one of the worker rolls, and this apparatus being so mounted upon .the machine as to permit of the cleaning of either the garnett cylinder or the doffer roll in a manner more efiicient than heretofore proposed and affording a maximum of safety to the operator.

To accomplish the foregoing objects, the worker roll located closest to the dofferroll in a .con-

ventional garnett machine is removed from its frame and an apparatus consisting of a'brush, a compressed air nozzle, and a vacuum nozzle, to be more fully described below, is installed in its This cleaning apparatus. is pivota'lly" place. mounted inits support sothat-it may be directed to operate upon either thegarnett cylinder or the doffer. roll to remove the various objectionable matter therefrom.

a The various objects and advantages andmech-' anisms of this invention will be more fully appreciated and understood from the following detailed description given in conjunction with the,

accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig.1 is a diagrammatic elevational View of a garnett machine unit showing thegarnett cylinder, the doifer roll, four worker rolls, and the cleaning apparatus of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the the cleaning apparatus; a

Fig. 3 is a top View of the supporting frame for the'cleaningapparatus; 1 r 7 Fig.4 is a detailed fragmentary view-ofthe head anda traverse mechanism incorporated in the supporting frame;

Fig. is a face view of the operating surface of one modification of the, cleaning apparatus;

Fig. .6 is a side view of theicleaning apparatus.

shown in Fig. 5;

14 Claims.

supporting frame for Fig. '7 is atop view of the'cleaninghead shown inFi'g. 5; p g I i i Fig. 8 is a face view of the operating surface of another modification of the cleaning apparatus; and

Fig. 9 is a side'view of the cleaning apparatus shown inFig. 8.

Each unit of a conventionalgarnett machine consists of a garnett cylinder II, a doffer roll 12, and a series of worker rolls l 3. Every one of these cylinders and rolls has on its cylindrical face small, sturdy, needle-like teethfor the purpose of working the textile :raw material, such as wool or cotton, as it feeds through the machine. In the use of this machine, the crevices between the teeth become filled and clogged with dirt, grease, and loose fibers collected'from the treated material ren dering the machine virtually inoperative, and making it necessary to clean out these crevices periodically- .It'is to the cleaning operation and apparatus thereforthat this invention is particularly directed.

The cleaning apparatus itself, whichincludes a brush, an air blast nozzle, and a suction nozzle, is diagrammatically represented in Figure 1 and indicated by number IE, but will be described in greater detail subsequently. The cleaning apparatus supporting frame is generally shown in Figures 2 and 3 and consists essentially of two parallel rod-like members I! and I8 held in fixed relationship to one another by the end-plate ties l9. It is upon members I! and 18 that cleaner l5, as carried by carriage 20, is directed in its travel, along the length of the cylinder being cleaned. The means for motivating carriage 20 andcleaning head [5 along I] and I 3 and the operation of this apparatus upon the. cylinder or roll generally is described in detail below.

The entire cleaning mechanism, the cleaning head, its carriage andthe guides, are secured to the worker roll supporting-rings 23 as indicated in Figure 1 in place of a worker roll that would ordinarily occupy thatposition. This is accomplished by meansof the supporting and securing members 2! and 22. Members 2] are aflixed to worker-roll suppqrting rings 23 by means of bolts or rivets 24; while members 22 are held in slidable adjustment with 2| by nuts 21 and bolts 25 which addition to this slidable adjustability, this cleaning apparatus supporting frame has a pivotal adjustability as indicated by the solid line and dotted line representations of Figure 1. This pivotability is attained by means of such engagement between ties l9 and members 22. Projections 28 of ties l9 each have a head 29 and threaded pin 30. Pins 30 extend through and are pivotally engaged by members 22 at each end of the cleaning apparatus supporting frame.

The engaging surfaces I22 and l29 of members 22 and 29 respectively, are serrated to most effectively secure the supporting frame and the cleaning head in its adjusted position. If nuts I30 and 21 are loosened, members 22 may be moved out of engagement with members 29' leaving the portion of the frame enclosed therebetween free to pivot about pins 36.. After it is positioned as desired, the tightening of nuts i313 and 21 brings the serrated surface I22 back intoengagement with serrated surfaces i29 to hold the supporting frame in its adjusted position.

Thus the support enables to operate either upon the garnett cylinder or upon the doffer roll. In addition, the slidable cooperation between members 22 and members 2! permits the head i to be brought to the cylinder or roll into operative engagement therewith, or to be withdrawn therefrom into an inoperative position.

The nozzle supporting frame when secured to rings 22 is designed to extend the length of the garnett cylinder or doffer roll. In the operation of this cleaning apparatus, the cylinder and roll are put in rotating motion while the supporting frame is intended to impart a translatory and oscillating motion to the head l5 along the length of the cylinder and direct it in its path therealong. Consequently, as the cylinder or roll rotates, the cleaning nozzle is continually traversing the length of. thecylinder or roll. Hence, by the combination of these rotary and translatory motions, each portion of the cylinder is effectively exposed to the brushing, air blast, and suction action of IS.

The translatory motion of the head is attained by means of a conventional double threaded worm drive traverse I21 within rod i8 as shown in Figure 4. Extension 3i of the traverse l2l carries a pulley and belt drive, powered by the same means as used to operate the various cylinders and rolls of the garnett machine itself, imparting a rotary-motion to the traverse i2! which in turn imparts the desired translatory motion to the carriage 2-9, rod l1 acting only as a. guide.

One form of the cleaning apparatus itself, as shown in Figures 8 and 9 has a cleaning head comprising a brush 6!, compressed air nozzle 63, and a. vacuum or suction nozzle 65.

The brush ii! is composed of relatively long bristles 61 preferably of flexible and resilient wire and slightly bent at their free ends as illustrated in Figure 9, and so designed as to enable them to penetrate into the crevices between the short sturdy teeth of a garnett cylinder or dofier roll and to dig out the dirt, grease, and other objectionable matter that collectsthere in the normal use of the machine. These bristles are applied in the form of staples to and carried by a strong fabric or leather backing 69. The backing itself is attached to a base block 11 made of wood or other suitable material.

The compressed air nozzle 63 is itself preferably inserted in and carried by the brush 6]. It ex tends substantially through the center of the the cleaning head block and protrudes slightly at the bristle surface or operating surface of the brush, terminating in the midst of the bristles. Its rear end is supported and fixed in position by plate 68 which is also carried by the brush base ll.

This nozzle 63 is connected through coupling 8! to the compressed air lead-in line 89 which, although preferably of approximately inch copper tubing, may be of any suitable size and material. The leadin tube 89 is supported and held in position by an eye bracket 9|, affixed to the vacuum nozzle, and of a suitable size to receive-the tube 89. This lead-in tube terminates in a. connection to a flexible compressed air line,

- not shown, which connects to a compressed air source or pump.

The vacuum or suction nozzle 65 is a relatively heavy metal casting whose nozzle shape is substantially that of a relatively narrow elongated rectangle. Although described as a metal casting, the nozzle may be made of any suitable material and designed to have any desired shape suitable'for applying suction. Integral with the nozzle is an enlarged cylindrical lead-in tube 83 which connects with a flexible vacuum line, not shown, leading to a vacuum source or pump.

The various parts of the cleaning head, namely the brush, air nozzle, and vacuum nozzle, constitute a unitary structural unit by virtue of the yoke 13. This U-shaped yoke substantially encompasses the head of the cleaning apparatus, holding the vacuum nozzle in position by means of screws 15 and holding the brush and air nozzle in position by screws 11.

Thus, when the apparatus is applied to either the garnett cylinder or the doifer roll of a garnett machine, the brush bristles Bl dig out and loosen the grease, dirt, loose fibers, and other objectionable material from the crevices between the cylinder needles. The combined action of the brush and air blast tends to effectively bring the objectionable materials to the surface and loosen it therefrom enabling the vacuum to most efficiently remove it.

To apply this cleaning apparatus to its frame and supporting structure, which frame and structure has been previously described, the tube 83 is supplied with a, split sleeve 93 made preferably of resilient metal. This sleeve is designed to afford the clamping means whereby the cleaning apparatus can be held in the opening H5 in carrier 20 shown in Figure 3. The entire cleaning apparatus, thus described, may be inserted in the opening H5 of carriage 20, and the pressure exerted thereby upon the resilient split sleeve 93 will serve to effectively hold the apparatus as positioned. Such a device as a set screw may be employed in conjunction with the split sleeve, or by itself in the absence of the sleeve.

The slideable adjustability incorporated in the supporting frame between members 2! and 22 affords one means for bringing the cleaning head into operative engagement with the cylinder or roll or being removed therefrom into an inoperative position, as described above. However, the clamping mechanism as afforded by the split sleeve 93 also affords a degree of slidability of the cleaning head in the carriage opening H5, supplying another convenient means for sliding the head into operative or inoperative position.

The frame for and structure of this cleaning apparatus thus far described-may be operated to work upon either the garnett cylinder or the dofier roll. In either case, after training the sass-goes cleaning head in the proper direction by' means' of the pivotal arrangement locatedabout-flanges 29*and pins-30 asshown in Figures 2-and 3, the head is brought into contact with the cylinder or roll by loosening nut 2'l and sliding the supporting frame along the slots 26 'until proper engagement is attained, at which time thenuts 21 are tightened, If the garnett machine is now started, and the compressed air and vacuum turned on, the cleaning head will proceed 'to perform'its cleaning function upon the cylinderto which it has been applied. 7

I As the'surface of thecylinder rotates in contact with the head, the wire bristles 6'! ofthe brush 6! will penetrate into the crevices of the teeth of the'gar'n'ett machine digging "out the various objectionable matters. This 'action' in conjunction with the compressed air blast will tend to loosen and free those materials from the cylinder enabling the suction nozzle which' operates immediately following the brush' and air nozzle, to be "most effective in its "operation of sucking these objectionable materials up "from the machine'cylin'der. j J. l It is apparent that the cleaning head 'does not operate upon the enti're length of the cylinder at once but'during a revolution'of the cylinder would cover only a smallsegment of its length were it not for the traversing mechanism incorporated in the supportingvframe and described above. The traversing mechanism consists essentially of adouble threaded'worm gear operating upon the'truck 20 to carry the cleaning head back and forth along the entire length of the supporting frame; which is coextensive I with the length of the cylinders to be cleaned. Therefore,'as"the garnett machine is set in motion and as the dou'-: ble worm gear traverse operates upon'th'e carriage 20, the cleaning head is brought in contact with all portions of the cylinder. After one cylinder has been cleaned, the garnett cylinder or the doffer ro1l,'the supporting frame is pivoted about'pin 30 and adjusted, along the slot 26 so as 'to bring the cleaning head'into'operaw ing position with the other cylinder;

For most efiicient operation of this apparatus it is best that the garnett machine be run in reverse in order that the bristles of-the cleaning brushmay'operateinthe-:directionof the teeth of the machine rather than against them;

'After the machine has been cleaned; the cleaning apparatus can be withdrawn to aninoperasleeve 44; is inserted-into theopening off the nozzle and engages the nozzlesnugly at '46,""""A rubber washer 41 is carriedby sleeve 44 r serve as an abutment and gasket-for this joint and also fora-flexible tube which is intended to be placed over coupling sleeve 44 as the main vacuum line} The roller 35 is located adjacent the vacuum nozzle on the opposite side from the brush 32, and its function is to maintain thehead of this cleaning apparatus the proper distance from the cylinder upon which it is workingduring that operation. p i i These respectiveparts of the head of this modification of the cleaning apparatus are 'held in spaced-relationship to one another by means of flanges 42 of the vacuum nozzlein conjunction with'cover plates 43. Brush 32 is snugly jfitted in the recess I30 formed by the vacuum nozzle andits flanges 42 and there held in fixed position by means of pins ISL The roller 35, located opposite the brush, is fitted in the recess l32 formed by the vacuum nozzle and its flanges 42 and there positioned by its core I33 with rotational freedom,

The predominantly important feature of this modification over the form previously described, aside from theincorporation of roller 35, is the spacial arrangement of 'the parts of the head giving a substantially arcuate shape to its operating surface, as can be observed from Figure 6. Thus, when applied to a cylinder of the machine, it willconform to the curved surface upon which it is designed to operate. 7

This modification maybe attached to the carriage 20 of the supporting frame in the same manner as the form described above, or in any other suitable manner desired, and its operation will be the same as the forme Other modifications and changes within the spirit of this disclosure will be apparentto those skilled in the art, but I do not intend to limit the scope of this invention-except as defined by the following claims.' i

The terms brush, brushing means, comb and combingmeans, as used in the present tive position and out of range of--the m a chine, to

permit its normal use: l A modification of the cleaning head l5 is'shown in Figures 5, Sand 7. This form consists of the same elements as in' that already described,- namely a brush 32, a compressed air nozzle 33, and a vacuum or suction nozzle34,; but, in' addition, this modification carries a contact; roller 35, of hard rubber, steel, or other unyielding substance. 7 q The construction 'ofthebrush ;a 1jld -the compressed air nozzle carried thereby and the com! pressed air-lead-in line are-essentially thesame as described in the first modification.- The vacuum or suction nozzle, however, has some changes. This nozzle 34 is located between-brush-32 and contact roller 35 and may be of anydesired shape that would permit of an effective and, localized suction action, .but is preferably of a narrow elongated shape, coextensive with theglength of the brush 32, as indicated in Figures fi', 6 ;and

The suction nozzleis connectedto a vacuum piircg or pump by means a suitable as shown byrigures 6 and impress metal specification and in the appended claims, are equivalent terms and describe any such device for penetrating between the teeth on the rotating working'surfaces of the fiber working machine to dislodge and remove the dirt therefrom in cooperationwith the jetof compressed air and sue-- tion; and theterms combing and brushing appearing in the present specification and claims are equivalent anddescribe the action of such devices; i :What is claimed is:

' 1. An apparatus for the cleaning of the garnett cylinder and dofier roll of a conventional garnett machine, having a cleaning head, said head comprising a brush, a compressed air nozzle, and a suction nozzle, said brush and air nozzle cooperating to free the objectionable materials from the cylinder or roll, the suction nozzle operating to removethe objectionable material thus freed, a supporting frame for mounting said head upon said machine, means incorporated in said frame for causing said head to reciprocate along the length of the cylinder or roll, pivotal means incorporated in said supporting frame to enable the cleaning head to operate upon either the garnett cylinder or the, doffer roll, and means to enablesaid head to be brought into or out of engagement' with said cylinder or roll, V

g. apparatusfor the'lcleaning of the garnett cylinder and doifer roll of a conventionalgarnett machinehaving a cleaning' head, said head comprising a brush,,a compressed air nozzle, and, a suction nozzle, said brush and air nozzle cooperating to free the objectionable materials from the cylinder or roll, the suction nozzle operating to remove the objectionable material thus freed, a supporting frame for mounting said head upon said machine coextensive with said cylinder and roll, a traversing carriage for carrying said head upon said frame, a traverse gearincorporated in the supporting frame for cooperation with said carriage to cause the cleaning head to reciprocate along the length of said frame, pivotal means incorporated in said supporting frame to enable the cleaning head to operate upon either the garnett cylinder or the dofier roll, and means to enable said head to be brought into or out of engagement with said cylinder or roll.

3. An apparatus for the cleaning of the garnett cylinder and doifer roll of a conventional garnett machine, having a cleaning head, said head comprising a brush, a compressed air nozzle, and a suction nozzle, the compressed air nozzle operating with the brush to free the objectionable materials from the cylinder or roll by means of a compressed air blast, the suction nozzle being located adjacent said brush and air nozzle, a supporting frame for mounting said head upon said machine coextensive with said cylinder and roll, a traversing carriage for carrying said head upon said frame, a traverse gear incorporated in the supporting frame for cooperation with said carriage to cause the cleaning head to reciprocate along the length of said frame, pivotal means incorporated in said supporting frameto enable the cleaning head to operate upon either the garnett cylinder or the doffer roll, and means to enable said head to be brought into or out of engagement with said cylinder or roll.

4. An apparatus for the cleaning of the garnett cylinder and doifer roll of a conventional garnett machine, having a cleaning head, said head comprising a brush, a compressed air nozzle, and a suction nozzle, the brush having relatively long resilient wire bristles slightly bent at their free ends, the compressed air nozzle being seated in the brush and cooperating with same to free the objectionable materials from the cylinder or roll by means of a compressed air blast, the suction nozzle being located adjacent said brush and air nozzle, a supporting frame for mounting said head upon said machine coextensive with said cylinder andrroll, a traversing carriage for carrying said head upon said frame, a traverse gear incorporated in the supporting frame for, cooperating with said carriage. to cause the cleaning head to reciprocate along the length of said frame, pivotal means incorporated in said supporting frame to enable the cleaning head to operate upon either the garnett cylinder or the doffer roll, and means to enable said head to be brought into or out of engagement with said cylinder or roll.

5. An apparatus for the cleaning of the cylinders of fiber treating machines, having a head, said head comprising a brush, a compressed air nozzle, a suction nozzle, and a contact roller, said brush and air nozzle cooperating to free the objectionable material from the cylinders, the suction nozzle operating to remove the material thus freed, the suction nozzle having lateral flanges, said brush, air nozzle, and roller being carried by said flanges, a supporting frame for mounting, said head upon said machine, and means incorporated in said frame for causing said head to reciprocate along the length of said cylinder. a

6. In an apparatus for the cleaning of the cylinders of fibertreating machines, a unitary assembly comprising a brush, a compressed air nozzle, a suction nozzle, and a contact roller, the brush and air nozzle cooperating to free the objectionable materials from said cylinder, the suction nozzle operating to remove the material thus freed, the contact roller operating to maintain the cleaning apparatus the correct working distance from the surface of the cylinders, said suction nozzle having lateral flanges and said brush, air nozzle and roller being carried by said flanges. 1

7. In a device adapted for stripping a cylinder of a garnetting machine, the combination with a comb having teeth adapted to loosen thedirt on the surface of said cylinder when saidcylinder is rotated in contact therewith, a nozzle positioned adjacent said comb and adapted to project a jet of compressed air against the surface of said cylinder to facilitate the loosening of dirt thereon by said comb, vacuum means for removing the dirt loosened by said comb and said jet, and

traversing mechanism cooperating with said nozzle, comb, and vacuum means for moving the same back and forth in operative relation to the surface of said cylinder.

8. Those steps in the method of stripping a garnetting machine which comprise simultaneously subjecting the surface thereof to be stripped to a combing action and a jet of compressed air to loosen the dirt thereon while said machine is in operation, and continuously removing the dirt, as loosened, by means of a vacuum.

9. In an apparatus for cleaning a toothed rotating working surface of a textile fiber working machine, the combination of a unitary cleaning head and a traversing mechanism for moving the head back and forth in operative relation to the rotating surface, the head comprising combing means for penetrating between the teeth on the working surface to loosen the dirt, a nozzle positioned adjacent the comb to project a jet of compressed air against the comb and the surface operated upon by the comb for loosening dirt thereon, and a suction nozzle for removing the dirt loosened by the comb and jet.

10. An apparatus for removing objectionable material from toothed rotating working surfaces of textile fiber working machines, the apparatus comprising a unitary cleaning head having combing means for penetrating between the teeth on the working surface, a compressed air nozzle and a suction nozzle, said combing means and compressed air nozzle cooperating to free the objectionable material from the rotating working surfaces and the suction nozzle operating to remove the objectionable material thus freed, and a supporting frame for mounting said head upon the machine, said supporting frame also carrying traversing means causing said head to reciprocate lengthwise of the rotating working surfaces, said supporting frame also having means providing for the movement of the head for selective operation upon a desired rotating working'surface.

11. In combination, a textile fiber working machine having a toothed rotating working surface and an apparatus mounted on the machine for cleaning the working surface, said apparatus comprising combing means for penetratingbetween the teeth on the working surface, a nozzle for delivering a jet of compressed air to the area engaged by the combing means, and a suction nozzle for removing the dirt from the area, the brush and nozzles forming a cleaning head unit, and traverse means for moving said unit as the machine rotates.

12. In combination, a textile fiber working machine having toothed rotating working surfaces and an apparatus mounted on the machine for cleaning the rotating surfaces, said apparatus comprising a combing means for penetrating between the teeth on a working surface, a nozzle for delivering a jet of compressed air to the area engaged by the combing means and a suction nozzle for removing the dirt from the area, the

combing means and nozzles forming a cleaning head unit, and a supporting frame for mounting said head upon the machine, said supporting frame also carrying traversing means causing said head to reciprocate lengthwise of the rotating working surfaces, said supporting frame also having means providing for the movement of the head for selective operation upon a desired rotating working surface.

13. The method of cleaning a toothed rotating working surface of a textile fiber working machine, which comprises simultaneously subjecting the surface to a combing action and a jet of compressed air to loosen the dirt thereon while the surface is rotating and continuously removing the loosened dirt by suction.

14. The method of cleaning a toothed rotating working surface of a textile fiber working machine, which comprises simultaneously subiecting an area of the surface to a combing action, a jet of compressed air and suction, the dirt in the area being thus loosened and removed, and simultaneously causing the action area to reciprocate lengthwise of the surface from end to end as the surface rotates.

CARL ADOLF WIED.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 789,768 Sullivan May 16, 1905 955,467 Moorhead Apr. 19, 1910 1,071,035 Fauquet Aug. 26, 1913 1,154,379 Clouette Sept. 21, 1915 1,307,452 Penney June 24, 1919 1,311,293 Schaefer July 29, 1919 1,457,467 Smith June 5, 1923 1,459,832 Kestner June 26, 1923 1,913,016 Walsh June 6, 1933 2,002,079 Dickie May 21, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 3,180 Great Britain of 1901 

